A Plantation day care owner says the father of a 23-month-old toddler found dead inside an SUV “never dropped off” the child Monday afternoon, after arriving to pick him up and realizing he had been forgotten in the back seat. Investigators arrived shortly aft
Plantation, Fla. — The parking lot of an early childhood education center looked like a place where the day was supposed to end in hugs and goodbyes. Instead, crime scene tape stretched across it, and investigators focused on a black SUV as hours passed.
One day after a 23-month-old boy was found dead inside the father’s car outside A World of Discovery Academy, the day care owner, Leslie Novoa, described how quickly everything became clear.
Novoa said she called 911 when she and the toddler’s father discovered the child in the back seat of the father’s car on Monday afternoon. Plantation Police said officers and fire crews arrived shortly after 5:30 p.m., but it was too late. First responders pronounced the child dead.
“This is hard for the parents, hard for us,” Novoa said. “This is sad to see this family, a wonderful family, to go through so much pain.”
Novoa said it took little time for the truth of what happened to surface. She said the father arrived to pick up his child and realized he had forgotten him.
“Unfortunately, the dad arrived to pick up his child, and when he arrived to the parking lot, he realized he forgot the child,” Novoa said. “He never dropped off the child at the school.”
She said the family has been with her for years. Novoa said this was their third child at the school, and that she is heartbroken by the loss.
“I know the parent didn’t mean to … ’cause I’ve known them for six years,” she said. “Like I said before, they’re a very loving family, and unfortunately, this happened.”
Inside the day care. parents and others watched the scene unfold. their prayers shifting from routine drop-offs to a community-wide attempt to understand how tragedies like this can happen so fast. Investigators spent hours at the scene gathering evidence, including putting up a tent around the vehicle.
The case also reignited painful public conversations about hot car deaths and what parents can do to prevent them. KidsandCars.org. an organization dedicated to educating families and helping prevent these tragic deaths. says roughly 40 children die inside of hot cars each year. with half of those deaths being mistakenly left inside by parents or caregivers.
Experts connected to that effort pointed to small, physical reminders designed to cut through distraction. Chloe Burke for KidsandCars.org suggested carrying a “simple reminder” such as a stuffed animal and placing it in a parent’s lap while driving.
“Bring that stuffed animal to the front and place it in your lap while driving. Now you have a physical and visual cue that the child is still in the car,” Burke said. “Other strategies include leaving a shoe in the back or a personal ID that you need to get in to your office or something of that nature.”.
The parent who spoke to 7News said the thought of missing a child felt unfathomable, and they questioned what goes through people’s minds when routines break.
“I could not fathom having to be in those shoes, to be honest,” the parent said. “I’m speechless. That’s definitely heartbreaking. and I’m hoping that family and definitely the staff – I know. as a community. you know. the family members are affected. ” they said. “Driving, making sure that they drop off the children at school, double checking the back chair always,” Novoa added. “You know, it’s just to make sure that they did the right thing.”.
Another person who asked not to be identified or show their face on camera said they could not process what had happened.
“I’m speechless. That’s definitely heartbreaking,” the parent said, while a second woman said she couldn’t imagine being in the situation. “I could not fathom having to be in those shoes, to be honest,” she said.
Novoa returned to the same message as the community tried to move through grief: the danger is real, and safety habits must be treated as non-negotiable.
“Always try to remember that the children are in the back,” Novoa said. “I mean, I know this happened unfortunately, I know the parent didn’t mean to.”
Detectives have not specified how the child died, how long he was in the SUV, or what led up to the tragedy. The day care released a statement acknowledging the family’s pain and setting boundaries around details.
“Our primary responsibility is the safety and well-being of our students and their families. We communicated with our school community as soon as possible. and we remain in contact with our families to provide support during this incredibly difficult time. This student and their family are beloved members of our community. At this time, our focus is on supporting those grieving this immense loss. Out of respect for the family’s privacy and their need to mourn. we are unable to share further details and respectfully request that the media and the public extend the same discretion and compassion.”.
The day care also said it will be fully cooperating with authorities throughout the investigation.
As of Wednesday morning, police have not specified whether anyone will face charges. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Plantation hot car death toddler found dead in SUV A World of Discovery Academy Leslie Novoa KidsandCars.org stuffed animal reminder child safety